[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6639399,"mediaKeyId","3738464-53e7204c4775d4fdc636ac193db9d106","parentId",3738464,"title","East Greenwich council adopts $90.9 million fiscal 2026 budget, adds $300,000 contingency funded from residential levy","audioSeconds",4957,"startMs",2712000,"endMs",7669000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3738464-53e7204c4775d4fdc636ac193db9d106&start=2712&end=7669","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3738464-53e7204c4775d4fdc636ac193db9d106/thumbnail_2712000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6639399/East-Greenwich/Kent-County/Rhode-Island/East-Greenwich-council-adopts-909-million-fiscal-2026-budget-adds-300000-contingency-funded-from-residential-levy","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6639399-b1edbe2518e60bd7d7892411b1e6d227/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190074&Signature=Ciu5XxODXAmHlhlS9NucG0xTX38Y4h9ypqy96-Q7dHVWR-uhyRS822QMAq4h2NIRB6rf8DT9AQ7513wz8kbxfcwJjDfYJdJi32s6zUuzRVA0ppqZlAif3CmZSOvp3gOciCUc6fQdxC~X0-qw37Liy-3QV6znc3E1y7ojXVVFWnnqLPeydyCKEufeJeoG2eycsiijrCQXob9EC0wf3n~a~C8kHwdSlWiPqqQY-dKwwAj3ECvzvoSH0kL1WaFWqKSbEw2DCYDavUnb1V2hWqwwXqGCIC-r6belm-wFK3O7MHvpKX6WsxpEgYCgVsu9c70oaiFUIFatz~uHveMzwNtbYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","East Greenwich","date","2025-06-09T00:00:00Z","article","The East Greenwich Town Council on June 9 adopted the fiscal year 2026 operating budget after lengthy deliberation about contingency funding, residential versus commercial tax apportionment and potential risks from unsettled state and federal aid.

Town Manager and Finance Director Trish Sunderland briefed the council on scenarios the staff prepared after the council’s June 5 direction. Sunderland said staff’s revisions accounted for a set of downside risks—uncertain state aid, possible reductions in federal programs and pending labor contracts—and presented multiple levy scenarios. \"We had to abate about $268,000 in taxes,\" Sunderland said when describing valuation appeals and revenue impacts the town had absorbed during the revaluation cycle.

At the start of the evening the council considered the manager’s modified budget that included an added contingency the prior meeting had asked the manager to prepare. An initial motion to adopt the budget option that included a $612,000 contingency failed on a 3–2 vote. Councilors then debated lowering the contingency and how to apportion any additional levy between residential and commercial property owners. Several councilors objected to increasing the commercial tax rate, saying local businesses have recently faced larger rate changes and smaller businesses would be harmed.

To break the impasse, the council voted 4–1 to add a $300,000 contingency to the manager’s proposed budget, with the added contingency to be funded by the residential tax levy. With that change staff updated the totals and the council then approved the final FY2026 budget, 5–0.

Approved budget highlights included a total town budget of $90,889,228; a town transfer to the East Greenwich Library of $618,356 (the council directed staff to absorb the library amount within contingency as discussed); debt service appropriations of $6,438,468; a school transfer of $42,964,865; and a wastewater/sewer fund appropriation of $4,835,593. The manager will finalize and publish the tax rates that implement the budget; council discussion left the commercial tax rate unchanged for FY2026 and directed staff to reallocate the contingency funding through the residential levy as approved.

Councilors and staff noted the town continues to face near‑term fiscal pressures because of three years of elevated debt service tied to the school construction program, ongoing labor negotiations and uncertainty about state aid. Staff said any use of the contingency would require a future council vote and public discussion.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","East Greenwich - Town Council - Jun 09, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After extended debate about levy apportionment and potential state and federal funding uncertainties, the council approved a $90,889,228 FY2026 budget and a $300,000 contingency financed via the residential tax rate; commercial rate remains unchanged.","taxTitle","East Greenwich, Kent County, Rhode Island","taxId",79579,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6639404,"Council accepts gift proposal for memorial to soldiers of the First Rhode Island regiment, asks for further review of wording and easements",1509,1195000,2704000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3738464-53e7204c4775d4fdc636ac193db9d106&start=1195&end=2704","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3738464-53e7204c4775d4fdc636ac193db9d106/thumbnail_1195000.jpg","/articles/6639404/East-Greenwich/Kent-County/Rhode-Island/Council-accepts-gift-proposal-for-memorial-to-soldiers-of-the-First-Rhode-Island-regiment-asks-for-further-review-of-wording-and-easements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6639404-9d3adb4dfb78ca39fe150237a0d0eedd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190074&Signature=Tn7dDYRmMaFcMriVId-HKWT1vZHxb0O8SJ36YLmqrU0AyanOtbxMnQS-tpHgNVEyph1r9OGVu5gzPJCgfitriU9srToGvyE96wAohdkwj8lpNtycuuo55Ds~C2UfYr3iMssjwOwxUQPDDw2U2aQChfNYXHTHH4d8KEfLAfKBi~e07L-PZq6DbCcQaUtazP0uxZQXnwZTHEQMIEDZFonSFMh45iOT3OHN1dW5-jFMXojtclniCXqDlQWWuqZYMwesnAminESvjfQQPp2sO-68rAiLd76qCKE5NtoaKevHg1B5QRBWrmQGfffi2zE4sSfgPcmHDnsYpbKnQgCONUdG5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The East Greenwich Town Council on June 9 voted 5–0 to accept, in principle, a proposed permanent public monument commemorating the First Rhode Island regiment and the role the unit played in the Revolutionary era. The acceptance was framed as a gift to the town, subject to final design completion, securing an easement from the Varnum Armory (the planned installation site) and further council review as the project advances.

Matt Kachuri, who represented the project committee, told the council the design concept depicts an adult soldier in motion with shackles cast behind him and a second, younger figure looking toward the same horizon in the same motion to emphasize transformation from enslavement to military service. \"There were 125 men who were enslaved men who enlisted and came out of slavery to gain their freedom,\" Kachuri said, summarizing the historical significance the committee intends the memorial to convey.

Kachuri and committee members said the monument would be a permanent gift to the town and that the Varnum Armory (listed in materials as the armory property on Main Street) would grant an easement so the site would be public land. The project committee has engaged an artist on the RISD faculty and provided conceptual renderings; a granite base and plaque are included in the design. The committee said donors and the fiscal agent—that organization is the Varnum Continentals, a local nonprofit—prefer the town accept the piece as public property to ensure long‑term preservation rather than a private nonprofit holding the asset.

Several councilors pressed for formal review of plaque language and final wording before the town accepts text as part of the installation. Councilor Michael Donegan said the narrative should not minimize the costs and dangers the enlisted men faced; Kachuri agreed the plaque would be vetted and returned to the town for review. Council discussion also covered maintenance responsibilities: volunteers with the Varnum Continentals have offered annual cleaning/waxing; final maintenance and easement language will be worked out between counsel, the armory and staff.

Councilor Mark Schwager read a motion that the council \"support the installation of the proposed monument and accept the monument as a gift subject to final completion of the monument as presented, securing an easement from the Varnum Armory for placement of monument, ... and subject to further review as the project approaches completion.\" The motion was seconded and carried 5–0.

Council staff said legal counsel will be engaged to document the easement and that fundraising and fabrication are expected to proceed over the next two years. The committee asked to return with more detailed schematic drawings and proposed plaque wording for formal council review and public comment before installation.","The council voted to accept a proposed permanent monument honoring the historic Black regiment that trained in East Greenwich, subject to securing an easement from the Varnum Armory and to further review as the project proceeds.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6639409,"East Greenwich council ratifies $503,150 contract to replace aging underground fuel tanks",323,622000,945000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3738464-53e7204c4775d4fdc636ac193db9d106&start=622&end=945","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3738464-53e7204c4775d4fdc636ac193db9d106/thumbnail_622000.jpg","/articles/6639409/East-Greenwich/Kent-County/Rhode-Island/East-Greenwich-council-ratifies-503150-contract-to-replace-aging-underground-fuel-tanks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6639409-9fc980eace7f0601cb42ec0273776c99/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190074&Signature=deNC3q42deBP~voIKfy~XgyGX9NpauZLQhD4J0i58UaBa9FikKIzKbZjIt5bUAnuZK2xYuST~V5d23myqeQ29qx64mkXzN90YlRDzX944iBX~HiC8bpqEvscanUzVj5Qoy2OM7C2zQEO-6PvuK3qtm2NPvJM1P-pdFtGVmgFKWAn~XrIYo4dVA5Lk0OE0dxb3K7NpyDVRkL0tAxajWc3qSncsrYLn0ZUgHMHD0frRS1Dcyc8EJQNM3iFipu67SIxTPhpKMjz4n7JTUOsutSEYUyBW4bAUSQK06DIb4NsERP5GBNUfgRnUoUiqUwKGeksLxLV~ZpQNTbG~WMFbaQGzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The East Greenwich Town Council on June 9 ratified a $503,150 contract with Rhode Island Hydraulics Company to supply and install new above‑ground fueling facilities as the town moves to replace aging underground storage tanks.

Council President Mark Schwager and Director of Public Works Fred Gomes told the council the town’s existing underground tanks at the highway garage and the wastewater treatment facility have exceeded the manufacturer’s recommended useful life and must be replaced. \"One of the ad alternates was a canopy that goes over the tanks, and the other ad alternate was a DEF dispenser,\" Gomes said. \"The total project contains all of those.\"

Gomes told the council the new above‑ground installation at the highway garage will allow the town to bring the new tanks online before removing the old underground tanks, reducing service interruption during the swap. He described the replacement unit as a split tank with 6,000 gallons of diesel and 4,000 gallons of gasoline and said the wastewater facility’s underground tank will be removed after the new tanks are operational.

Town staff told the council the contract award will be funded in part with American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds, and that the current procurement work represents the first phase of a larger project that may include additional above‑ground dispensing stations (including a planned station behind the police department) and the staged removal of other in‑ground tanks once funding is secured.

Councilors approved the ratification by voice vote, 4–0. The manager and finance director will finalize project scheduling, oversee ARP disbursement for this award and return to the council if additional budget authority or contract amendments are required.

The council approved minutes for the May 27 meeting and moved on to other business after the award ratification.","The East Greenwich Town Council ratified a bid to install above-ground fueling facilities funded in part by American Rescue Plan funds; the project is phase one of a multi-element tank replacement effort.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

East Greenwich council adopts $90.9 million fiscal 2026 budget, adds $300,000 contingency funded from residential levy

Council accepts gift proposal for memorial to soldiers of the First Rhode Island regiment, asks for further review of wording and easements

East Greenwich council ratifies $503,150 contract to replace aging underground fuel tanks